Diplomatic efforts flare as US‑Europe propose Ukraine roadmap
Reuters has obtained documents from discussions between representatives of the USA, Europe, and Ukraine, which took place in Paris on 17th April and in London on 23rd April. The main differences between the two documents concern the order of resolving territorial issues, lifting sanctions against Russia, security guarantees, and the size of the Ukrainian army.
Although some differences had been previously indicated by sources close to the negotiations, the documents obtained by Reuters present these discrepancies in a full and detailed form for the first time.
The first text contains proposals delivered to European officials in Paris by Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, which were subsequently conveyed to the Ukrainian side. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the proposals as a "broad framework" to help identify differences between the parties.
The second document was created a week later during discussions between Ukrainian and European representatives in London and was then conveyed to the American side, according to sources.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that he believes the document with proposals created during Wednesday’s talks in London is already on Trump’s desk.
This is the most intensive attempt at a diplomatic end to the fighting since the first months of the Russian invasion from February 2022 - Reuters assesses. Currently, Moscow's forces control almost one-fifth of Ukraine's territory.
Regarding territories, Witkoff's proposals include the de jure (according to law) U.S. recognition of Russian control over Crimea – the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014 – and de facto (in reality) recognition of Russian presence in southern and eastern Ukraine under Moscow's control.
Meanwhile, the European-Ukrainian document postpones detailed talks on territories until after a ceasefire is reached and does not mention any recognition of Russian control over Ukrainian territory.
Regarding Ukraine's long-term security, Witkoff's document envisions "robust security guarantees" to be provided by European states and other allies. However, it does not contain further details and assumes that Kyiv will not seek NATO membership.
The counterproposals are more precise – they assume no restrictions on Ukraine's armed forces and no ban on allied countries stationing troops on Ukrainian territory – which is likely to elicit a strong response from Moscow.
They also foresee strong security guarantees for Kyiv, including from the United States, in a form resembling Article 5 of the NATO treaty concerning mutual defence.
In terms of economic measures, Witkoff's proposals foresee the lifting of sanctions imposed on Russia after the 2014 annexation of Crimea as part of the agreement.
Meanwhile, the counterproposals envisage "gradual easing of sanctions once a lasting peace is achieved" and the possibility of reimposing them if Russia violates the terms of the agreement.
The European-Ukrainian document also anticipates compensation payments to Ukraine for war damages from funds derived from Russian assets frozen abroad. Witkoff's text also mentions financial compensations for Ukraine but does not specify the source of the funds.
